The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-05

How DIR. Lyman Beecher Persuaded Mrs.
jackson to Marry Him.


jackson to Marry Him.
Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Saints sinners and the Beecher family has
been printed as the remark of the late ven erable
DR.. Todd, of Pittsfed. Mass Possibly the fol-
lowing anecdote of the father. which had from
his eldest son, Rev. VIM. H. Beecher. may illus
trate the pecuiarites of his family. The old gen.
tleman had lost his second or third wife, and was
resolved to marry again. Hence. at family
gathering in Cincinnati, he said: ''My children,
heretofore / have married altogether to suit
myself, but now | willing to marry to suit
you. if you think of any suitable and proper
person who will have me- The children put
their heads together and concluded that a GER
tain Mrs. jackson, who kept large boarding
house In Boston. mem Der OF Edwards
church would make him capital wife, and it
was arranged for Rev. Edward to negotiate
with Mrs Jackson After waiting s. week or so
the old gentleman became impatient and started
to Boston, driving to Mrs. JacKsons house, call
ing for her and unfolding at once the object of
his mission. The good lady was thunderstruck
protested that she had idfa OF marrying and
couldn't think of such thing; it was impos-
sible. To all of which the old Doctor replied
that he was equally surprised The ar
rangement had been made in Cincinnati
Edward was to prepare the way, and
he had made his arrangements to preach in
Andover and Amherst and TO attend the May
anniversaries, and expected. of course, to take
her with him his wife. At this point the good
lady expressed herself shocked that Edward
had never spoken TO her on the subject; nor
would it have made any difference if he had.
for. as to marrying again. she could not
and would not-even the venerable and
celebrated DR. Lyman Beecher! After a
moments pause the Doctor said: My
dear Mrs. jackson, I am sorry you have SO much
feeling about it, but l will stay with you a day
two and we will talk this matter up" to
which the lady responded that her house was
full. she had suitable for him, and
could not entertain him. "Oh, never mind,
then. said the Doctor. Il will go round to Ed
wards and come and take tea with you" And
sure enough at tea time he
there and sat next to Mrs. Jackson at
the table. It of those large
boarding houses on Beacon street, at which the
and to the teatable of which the boarders kept
coming and going for two three hours. Of
course the old Doctor became impatient. and
kept whispering to Mr.. Jackson, 81 want to
you alonen 81 must You alone!" Cant you
see me aloneP' At length Mrs. jackson left the
table with him, and they went to a room
By themselves What then occurred God
only knows, but the story is that the good
lady protested. EXPRESSED her amazement and
even said, You must be crazy; the subject is too
serious and solemn to be thought of without
prayer to God" Have you not prayed about
it," said the Doctor. Prayed about it? No."
said Mrs jackson; II have not thought of such
a thing" Let us pray" was the solemn re-
Spouse of Beecher. and they knelt down and
PRAYED. OF course. the Almighty argued
with; what good wife Mrs. Jackson would
make him; what blessing it would be to her;
how much good she could do in the holy cause;
what a disappointment IL she did not marry him.
Then observing her to be in a melting mood. he
reached out his hand and took hold of hers. and
grand clearinghouse was broken up. to the sur
prise of all Boston. and Mrs. Jackson became
Mrs Lyman BeecEer, making HIM a capital
wife indeed